India to achieve 20 pc ethanol blending target in 2 months: Gadkari
New Delhi, Jan 15: India will achieve its target of 20 per cent ethanol blending in the next two months, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.
The practice of blending ethanol with petrol began in 2001 as a pilot project.
"We will achieve this target of 20 per cent ethanol blending in the next two months. Use of E20 (petrol with 20 per cent ethanol) will help in reducing pollution," Gadkari said while speaking at an event.
The road transport and highways minister said Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Hyundai Motors have started manufacturing vehicles that run on 100 per cent bio-ethanol.
Gadkari said pollution is a serious problem in the country as 42 Indian cities are among 50 most-polluted cities in the world.
"We import fossil fuels worth Rs 22 lakh crore, which is also causing pollution," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the higher 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol in 2023.
In the first phase, 15 cities was covered.
Use of ethanol, extracted from sugarcane as well as broken rice and other agri produce, will help India -- the world's third largest oil consumer -- bring down its reliance on overseas shipments.
India is 85 per cent dependent on imports for meeting its oil needs.
Use of E20 leads to an estimated reduction of carbon monoxide emissions by about 50 per cent in two-wheelers and about 30 per cent in four-wheelers compared to E0 (neat petrol).
The target of achieving average 10 per cent blending was achieved in June 2022, much ahead of the target date of November 2022.
Automobile engines can run on E20 with minor modifications in engine for corrosion, etc.
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Delhi polls: BJP's Parvesh Verma faces action for 'distributing' shoes to electors
New Delhi, Jan 15: The returning officer for the New Delhi Assembly segment has directed the police to investigate an incident of BJP candidate Parvesh Verma allegedly distributing shoes to electors at a Valmiki temple in violation of the poll code.
Citing complaints received about the alleged act of "corruption," the returning officer has instructed the station house office of the area to initiate the action for violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and has sought an action-taken report at the earliest.
Verma, however, claimed that he honoured the sanitation workers by placing shoes on their feet at the temple and no footwear was distributed.
Police sources confirmed that a non-cognizable report (NCR) has been filed based on the complaint against Verma, and further investigation has been initiated.
Under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (1) (A), offering or distributing any gift, gratification, or promise by a candidate or their agent, or by any person with the candidate's consent, to any elector is considered a corrupt practice.
According to the returning officer's order, advocate Rajnish Bhaskar filed a complaint through WhatsApp, alleging that Parvesh Verma, the BJP candidate for the New Delhi seat, was distributing shoes to electors at the Valmiki Temple near the Mandir Marg Police Station.
The complainant also submitted two videos purportedly showing Verma "distributing" shoes to women.
Responding to the allegations, Verma, in a statement said that he personally honoured sanitation workers at the Valmiki Mandir by placing shoes on their feet as a mark of respect for their hard work in keeping the city clean.
"No shoes were distributed. Only a few shoes were offered as a mark of respect towards the sanitation workers," claimed an aide of the BJP leader.
The development comes amid corruption charges made against Verma by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and his party members, accusing him of trying to sway voters in the BJP's favour using unfair means.
